We’re taking a closer look at oats – not just as a crop, but as a tool to improve soil health. (Catch yourself up! Head to the post where we introduce this trial…)
In this audio update, Grant shares what we’ve learned so far and where we’re at in the season.
Putting Oats to the Test
We planted oats the last week of March and built a fertility program around efficiency and soil biology.
The initial application included:
- 60 units of nitrogen
- 20 pounds of sulfur
- BioCast Max (beneficial microbes designed to help release fertility)
After testing ahead of heading, we found the crop was a little short on nitrogen. We were sitting closer to 40 units than the planned 60 and had missed the ideal window for a traditional nitrogen application. So instead of pushing more synthetic nitrogen late, we adjusted the plan.
Feeding the Crop Through the Finish Line
We’re using multiple foliar applications, including:
- AmiNo (amino acid based foliar nitrogen)
- Slow-release nitrogen
- Boron
- Potassium acetate
With oats, the big focus is test weight. That’s where products like AmiNo come into play by helping drive protein into the grain through foliar efficiency.
Learning Along the Way
One thing this trial has already shown: oats move fast. The growth window is much shorter than expected, and timing matters. We’re adjusting as we go, including adding fungicide later than ideal and continuing to fine-tune the fertility program.
There’s also a different approach being tested here. Too much synthetic nitrogen can increase the risk of lodging. A more balanced, biology-focused program may help provide what the plant needs while reducing that risk – but we’ll let the results tell the story.
We’ll Share the Results
This isn’t a finished playbook yet. That’s the point of the trial. At the end of the season, we’ll share:
- Total dollars invested
- Revenue generated
- Yield results
- Soil testing results
- What one oat crop did for WEOC levels
The goal is simple: test, measure, and learn. Because better decisions start with better data.